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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to George Washington

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.06219 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 October 1794 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 25.4 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy

Secretary of War Knox informs the president of his arrival in Philadelphia, and also for permission to join Washington in Carlisle, Pennsylvania "until the painful task upon which you are, shall be settled."

The "painful task" was the suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion by government troops, headed by Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Virginia Governor Henry Lee.
Knox's retained draft.

[draft]
[inserted in different hand: To Washington]
Philadelphia 6 Octr 1794
My dear Sir
I arrived here the last Evening. It has been a circumstance of inexpressible regret that [inserted: [strike-out] an extraordinary course of - ] contrary winds detained me longer than I expected. Permit me to request the favor by the return of this express, that if [struck: upon a review of the business of my department, I should find the measure compatable,] that I may wait upon you at Carlile or elsewhere, until the painful task upon which you are, shall be settled.

I am with perfect respect
and affection Your
Obedient Servant
H K
[docket]
To the President of
the US
6 Ocbr 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Washington, George, 1732-1799

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